Basketball from a fan’s perspective

To Be or Not to Be

I believed up to this point all discussion regarding Last Dance was complete.  The latest bit circulating on social network says, “Michael Jordan lied about Isiah Thomas being excluded from the Dream Team.”  It is all water under the bridge at this point, whatever we camp we decide to pitch our tent.  We've read and heard reports there were others on the Dream Team who didn't want Isiah on the team, MJ was just one of the chorus.   

What do you think?

The 2020 Rivals list contains 11 centers 7 feet or taller, 4 who are 6 foot 11 and another 7 at least 6 foot 10.   That totals 22 players headed to the G-League or college campuses in the fall.  Despite rather dire thoughts of the future expressed by yours truly it remains a Big Man’s game.  For several years, I have always held a cyclical belief over an ascending plane, allow a brief explanation.  Civilization might be on an upward scale or plane but for others it is a circle, fashion might be a prime example of this view.

We could make a similar statement regarding basketball, 3-point shooting and small ball became the norm a few years ago.  The old saying “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” states we tend to copy what appears to be successful.  Today 3-point shooting and small ball represent success on the basketball court in this age.  As for the talent none of these Big Men appear to be cut in the mold of Kareem, Shaq, or Wilt but we do not know for sure.  If for example they are not coached properly they may perhaps never reach the level of many past centers.     

Jeanie speaks

For the first time (at least in my memory) Lakers owner Jeanie Buss explained why she fired her brother in February 2017.  I am paraphrasing her comments, this is not a word for word account.  At the time owner Jerry Buss died his will made specific recommendations for the future of the Lakers, Jeanie would run the business side of operations and brother Jim the basketball operations. What caused the change at the top, the short answer poor results on the basketball court.   

Jeanie said, “It seemed every 18 months we changed coaches, we went from Mike Brown a defensive coach to Mike D’Antoni an offensive coach.  These changes required a change in player personnel which impacted overall play.”  Jeanie went on to say, “I couldn’t see what was going on, where he (Jim) was trying to go and what our identity was going to be as a team.” 

Jeanie took the highly unusual step of firing her brother and hiring Magic Johnson along with Rod Pelinka.  Since that change Magic has left the team however Pelinka remains in place.  Jeanie gave Magic credit for signing free agent LeBron James.  As for the changes she made we are yet to see continued evidence of success, last season LeBron’s injury seriously impacted the team.  The 2019-20 season is unfinished so it might be a barometer if this management change was a success.  

Portions from Lakers Nation  

He marches to the beat of a different drummer   
I have always taken the above quote to indicate rather than follow the pack you establish your own routine, so it is with long-times Spurs Coach Greg Popovich. Media was always fond of poking fun at Phil Jackson for his sometimes-informal manner of coaching. Well Phil has long since retired however he’s got a clone in San Antonio in Greg Popovich. The two might be total opposite personality it is just the manner they chose to coach. Once got in trouble with the NBA front office for sending Duncan, Parker and Ginobili home early.

The trio did not play in the last game of a road trip; of course, Pop was fined by the NBA. We are aware with travel and back to back games NBA teams don‘t really practice. They will often go through a morning shoot-around and that is about it. The Spurs had a heavy road schedule during November and December one season. Pop was asked by a member of the media when was the last time the Spurs practiced. It is reported Pop said he could not remember he had always been giving his team the day off. His interview with television broadcast crews is the stuff of legendary especially his exchanges with the late Craig Sager.  The curtain will close on Gregg Popovich’s coaching career soon, this Laker fan will miss him.